Public gets first chance to weigh in on Cincinnati parking plan

$92M proposal up for discussion

A $92 million plan to create a public-private parking partnership was up for its first public discussion Monday.

The public got a chance to have its say on the parking plan at City Hall Monday night.

"What are we going to do when this 2-year period runs out? Are we going to sell the water works? Are we going to sell city hall and then lease it back? What else are we going to sell to try and solve short term problems? What long term problems are we going to create trying to get out of a short term mess?" Oakley business owner Mark Rogers asked.

The parking dealwould bring $92 million to the city upfront and $3 million a year for 30 years.

In exchange, the Port Authority, Xerox and Denison Parking would run the city's meters and garages.

Hours of enforcement would lengthen to 9 p.m., but Sundays and holidays would still be free.

Meter rates could only go up 25 cents at a time, and would likely stay at the current $2 per hour for some time. But expired meter tickets could rise to as much as $100 in future years.

Plans for the $92 million include clearing the way for a 30-story mixed use tower at Fourth and Race and funding toward an Interstate 71 interchange at Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Cincinnati City Council members said there are already four votes in support of the plan. They still need one more for it to pass. Council members Seelbach and Young have not said if they will support the plan.

City Manager Milton Dohoney said if the deal does not pass he will be forced to layoff some city employees.

"Cut mode does not get you a growing economy. We will never be able to get to where we need to and address the structurally imbalanced budget simply by cutting. You just can't get there using that methodology. You can shorten your expense side, but that will still creep up over time," Dohoney said.

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